Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to the master of arts in educational leadership (MAEL) are intended to help you meet the Illinois state requirements for the principal or teacher leader endorsement on your educator’s license upon completion of your program.

Apply now to join the MAEL program in 2015. Cohorts start each fall, typically in September.

Two-Phase Admission Process

To assist future principals in meeting Illinois state requirements for principal and teacher leader preparation programs, the School of Education has designed a two-phase admissions process for the master of arts in educational leadership (MAEL).

Phase One

Applicants must meet the admission requirements below and may be asked to sit for an interview with an admission committee.

GPA Requirement

Generally, only students with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA in undergraduate work will be considered for admission to this program. However, candidates with lower GPAs may be considered if they submit strong GRE or MAT exam scores.

Test of Academic Proficiency

The Illinois State Board of Education may accept ACT Plus Writing (composite score of 22) and SAT (composite score of 1030 on critical reading and mathematics) score reports that are up to 10 years old when obtaining a provisional educator’s license/certificate or for admission to an accredited teacher preparation program, like North Park’s degree offerings. The official score report cannot be more than 10 years old (month/year) at the time of the application (ISBE form 73-60 or 73-54) and submission to ISBE and must include a score on a writing component. Learn more from ISBE.

Phase Two

If you successfully pass Phase One of the process, you'll enroll in EDUC 6030: Educational Leadership.

During this course, your instructors will work with you to develop an Admissions Portfolio that will demonstrate how you successfully meet the requirements for Phase Two admission, which are designed to prepare you for the State of Illinois for principal endorsement and include:

An updated resume

Evidence of leadership roles and descriptions of your impact on your classrooms, school or district, or constituents served

Demonstration of at least two years of teaching experience on a valid and current Illinois certificate/license, with demonstrated student growth within two of the last five years

An in-person interview with full-time faculty members in the School of Education and representatives from partner schools and districts

An on-site written response to a scenario presented by the interviewers

Once you can develop this Admission Portfolio and meet the requirements for Phase Two, you’ll be granted full admission into the MAEL and can enroll in the continuing coursework.